The Trouble with Robots

Evelyn strives for excellence. Allie couldn’t care less. These polar opposites must work together if they have any hope of saving their school’s robotics program.
  • ISBN: 9781682634844
  • Publication date: 09/06/2022
  • Page Count: 288
  • Size: 6" x 8-1/2"
  • Age Range: 8-12
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  • Price:
  • ISBN: 9781682634844
  • Publication date: 09/06/2022
  • Page Count: 288
  • Size: 6" x 8-1/2"
  • Age Range: 8-12
  • Price:
  • ISBN: 9781682636220
  • Publication date: 09/05/2023
  • Page Count: 288
  • Size: 6" x 8-1/2"
  • Age Range: 8-12
  • Price:
  • Age Range: 8-12
  • Price:
  • ISBN: 9781682634851
  • Publication date: 09/06/2022
  • Page Count: N/A
  • Age Range: 8-12
  • Price:
  • Age Range: 8-12
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Description

Evelyn strives for excellence. Allie couldn’t care less. These polar opposites must work together if they have any hope of saving their school’s robotics program.

Eighth-graders Evelyn and Allie are in trouble. Evelyn’s constant need for perfection has blown some fuses among her robotics teammates, and she’s worried nobody’s taking the upcoming competition seriously. Allie is new to school, and she’s had a history of short-circuiting on teachers and other kids.

So when Allie is assigned to the robotics team as a last resort, all Evelyn can see is just another wrench in the works! But as Allie confronts a past stricken with grief and learns to open up, the gears click into place as she discovers that Evelyn’s teammates have a lot to offer—if only Evelyn allowed them to participate in a role that plays to their strengths.

Can Evelyn learn to let go and listen to what Allie has to say? Or will their spot in the competition go up in smoke along with their school’s robotics program and Allie’s only chance at redemption?

An excellent pick for STEAM enthusiasts, this earnestly told narrative features a dual point of view and casually explores Autistic and LGBTQ+ identities.

Author/Illustrator

Michelle Mohrweis

Author

Michelle Mohrweis is a STEM Educator and space enthusiast. When not writing, they can be found launching paper rockets down the middle of their street. They live with their husband and two dogs in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking and hogging all the best spots beside the heaters when it gets too cold.

Reviews

“Full of girl power without ever showing them as outsiders in robotics because of their gender, this brings a diverse team to the page and shows the various skills needed to make a team succeed.”—Booklist

“Unsubtle but not overwrought, with genuinely inspiring kindness and collaboration found amid pain.”—Kirkus Reviews

“[An] emotionally charged debut. . . . Detailed descriptions of the duo’s specialties juxtaposes STEAM elements—art versus robotics, the abstract versus the technical—in a teamwork-oriented plot that delves into self-discovery.”—Publishers Weekly

“Well-written and easy to follow, this novel will have a wide audience as there is something here for everyone. The topic of STEAM mixed with art leads to a heartwarming novel with valuable life lessons for intermediate and middle school readers.”—School Library Connection

Resources

Resources: Discussion Guide

Reading Group Guide

More Details

BISAC 1: JUV039060 Juvenile Fiction – Social Themes – Friendship
BISAC 2: JUV077000 Juvenile Fiction – Neurodiversity
BISAC 3: JUV06000 Juvenile Fiction – LGBTQ+